Dear Boyden Families,
We had another productive week across Boyden. This week, students were provided with opportunities to learn about and discuss the great accomplishments and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We encourage all of us to think of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday and to perform at least one act of kindness to mark the day.
Please remember that there is no school tomorrow Friday, January 12th (Staff Training) and Monday, January 15th (Martin Luther King Day)
Have a nice long weekend!
Brendan
Parent's Night Out
Friday, January 19th
Napper Tandy’s Walpole
7:00 -10:00 PM
DJ, food, pool, raffles, karaoke!!! Sign up here by Thursday, 1/18, and venmo in advance at @BoydenSchool-PAC (put "PNO" in the comments, $20/pp). Questions? Contact elitsa.molles@gmail.
Bookmark Contest for Grades 2-5 is Back!
We are thrilled to announce that the Massachusetts School Library Association Bookmark Contest is back! This year, the theme is Every Story Matters. Stories have the incredible power to transport us to new worlds, teach us lessons, and ignite our curiosity. This contest is an opportunity for students to showcase their artistic and design talents by creating bookmarks. Mrs. Moses shared the contest with students during media lessons this week. Boyden judges will chose 1 bookmark from the 2-3 grade division and 1 bookmark from the 4-5 grade division for the statewide contest. Students can work on their submissions during free or choice time in school or at home.
Contest details:
- Who: Students in Grades 2-5
- What: Design a bookmark based on the theme Every Story Matters
- How: Use the entry form (given to each student during media and available in classrooms or click here). Use markers, crayons, paints or digital art. All artwork must be original (no licensed or AI generated characters)
- Submission Deadline: Due to Mrs. Moses in the media center on 1/30/24
Interested in more information, please view the MSLA bookmark contest website.
What are the Students Learning in PE?
K: Kindergarteners have enjoyed working on scooters this month! Students learned how to safely use scooters for activities as well as games. Kindergarten wrapped up December with some real fun winter fitness games.
1st: First graders also had an opportunity to work with scooters. Students used the scooters for
relay races along with working with partners. My first graders also finished the month enjoying
winter fitness challenges.
2nd: Second graders started to learn about ball exploration through the skill of dribbling. This is
a foundation that will lead into the skills for basketball later on. Students also played fun games
and relays throughout the month of December!
3rd: Third grade started their unit on basketball with focus on skills such as; dribbling, passing,
cooperative play and shooting. We focused on development mixed with fun games throughout
the unit.
4th: Fourth grade also worked on basketball skills through the course of December. Students
learned skills that were mixed with skill type games to reinforce those skills.
Students also had fun at the end of the month playing winter fitness games!
5th: Fifth graders have revisited basketball skills along with games. Students will definitely use
these skills going forward in middle and high school PE classes. Students also had some fun
with some winter fitness games before the winter break!
Sportsperson of the Month
The "Sportsperson of the Month" goes to a student at each grade level who goes above and beyond in Physical Education Class. This includes(but is not limited to) following the rules of the game, being safe, respectful of other students, taking care of the equipment, and playing fair.
December's Sportspersons of the Month are:
K- Clara Rufo
1st- Gael Kalemera
2nd- Violet Hodgson
3rd- Owen McElaney
4th- Emma Gildea
5th- Antonia Falcone
MLPAC Meeting
Walpole Public Schools invites parents and guardians of multilingual learners to attend MLPAC to discuss opportunities for the educational success of students who are currently or were formerly in an English Language Education (ELE) program. It is also a time to network with other parents and guardians as we continue to build collaborative partnerships.
MEETING INFORMATION
DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
PLACE: Walpole High School Media Center
TIME: 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.
AGENDA
Announcements
Speaker: Mr. Tom Reeve, Director of Digital Learning & Technology
Learn about available district technology to collaborate with your student’s school
Bring your technology questions!
Discussion: How to run a PAC
Questions / Suggestions
Please contact the Multilingual Learner Family Engagement Center at mlfec@walpole.k12.ma.us or at (508) 660-7257 ext. 5033 for further information or to request an interpreter or child care for the event.
Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department
The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the spring session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.
Session 2 will run February 5 to June 14.
Registration is open Friday, January 12th through Monday, January 29th.
For more information, visit:
https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview
To register, visit:
https://students.arbitersports.com/walpole-public-schools/private-music-lessons-2023-2024-session-ii
For questions, email:
Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us
Tiered Focussed Monitoring Review
During the week of January 29th, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Walpole Public Schools. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners, what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English language education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.
Parents and other individuals may call Andy McDonie, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3541 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Walpole Public Schools with a report with information about areas in which the Walpole Public Schools meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Walpole Public Schools requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
Extended Day February Vacation Camp
Where: Boyden Elementary School
When: February 20-22, 2024 (Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday)
Cost: $80/day (10% discount for educators or siblings)
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/TujRsqvz3vsMHzw39
Kindergarten Registration 2024-2025
It is time to pre-register your child for kindergarten. Children who are five years old before September 1, 2024, are eligible to come to kindergarten. Kindergarten Pre-registration will be conducted from January 3 - January 26, 2024. The school assignment for your child will be visible in the online registration program, Family Connection, once your child's address has been entered.
To pre-register a kindergarten-age-qualified child, a parent or legal guardian must complete the online pre-registration form by going to the following website
Once the online pre-registration form is completed, you may then provide the required documents (see below) to the school, in three different ways:
- Drop off at the main office of your elementary school from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
- Copy and mail to the school (see school address above)
- Scan and email them to the school secretary Julie Morris at jmorris@walpole.k12.ma.us
Required registration documents
- Proof of residency (town tax bill, utility bill, or lease)
- Health history form and Immunization records
- Original birth certificate with seal
- Mass Health Form
If your child is currently enrolled or receiving special education services through Daniel Feeney Preschool Center, you do not need to submit the online registration form, birth certificate, or proof of residency. However, you will need to provide the elementary school with a copy of your child’s latest physical.
January's Counselor's Corner
PAC News
NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY, February 15th at 7:00 PM in the Media Center
Walpole Wheel of Fortune
If you aren't a member of the Walpole Wheel of Fortune Facebook page, join us! The Wheel is a fundraising page managed by the Boyden PAC where items are raffled to raise funds for the school. Raffles will be held weekly on Wednesday or Thursday nights.
Arbor Day Poster Contest
Important Dates
January 12th - No School for Students (Staff Training)
January 15th - No School (Martin Luther King Day)
January 26th - 80's Day!
February 2nd - School Store (Grades 1-5)
Febraury 9th - Early Release (12:25 PM Dismissal)
February 14th - School Council Meeting (3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
February 15th - Boyden PAC Meeting (7:00 PM)
February 19th - 22nd - No school (Vacation)
Click Here for the Walpole Public Schools School Year Calendar
